Out of the following which is not a developmental activity of panchayat?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → Maintenance of burning and burial grounds
Option (1) Maintenance of burning and burial grounds — Not a developmental activity (Correct). The maintenance of burning and burial grounds is one of the social welfare responsibilities of the Panchayats, along with recording births and deaths and running child welfare and maternity centres. It is not listed among their development activities.
Note: The chapter ‘The Story of Indian Democracy’ of the pre-rationalised NCERT, which NTA followed in 2023, has been renamed ‘The Constitution and Social Change’ in the NCERT book (2025-26). The portion on the powers and responsibilities of Panchayats is still there in the renamed chapter.
NCERT (2025-26): “Powers and Responsibilities of Panchayats … Social welfare responsibilities of the Panchayats include the maintenance of burning and burial grounds, recording statistics of births and deaths, establishment of child welfare and maternity centres, control of cattle pounds, propagation of family planning and promotion of agricultural activities. The development activities include the construction of roads, public buildings, wells, tanks and schools. They also promote small cottage industries and take care of minor irrigation works.…” |